Polar bear and beluga whale watching tours in Canada

country:	Canada
departures:	Departures can be arranged to suit you in July and August
price:	From £4495 (9 days) including flights from the UK
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

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Bear watching holidays here

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the amazing things you'll be doing

This exclusive itinerary starts and finishes in London and includes all flights and taxes. The focus of the trip is the remarkable Birds, Bears, and Belugas adventure in July and August combines the thrill of seeing and hearing beluga whales with summer polar bear viewing and more. With a backdrop of tundra alive with flora and fauna, this is our most diverse and unique program.

Aside from the belugas and bears, you'll also see a whole host of other wildlife on this trip - caribou, fox (red and Arctic), and birds galore (such species as ptarmigan, Smith's Longspur, Ross' and Bonaparte gulls, jaegers, et cetera). In fact, it isn't unusual for birders to see 100 species over the course of their adventure. Also keep your ears open for the wolves howling in the distance.

We see polar bears in the summer! The bears, like people, are interested in the belugas (though for slightly different reasons) and we’ve witnessed them attempting to hunt the whales from coastal rocks. We've also often had them in and around the lodge with frequency. Might be the smell of our cooking? Whatever the reason, you will be undoubtedly awestruck.

Manitoba's thousands of beluga whales join in the Hudson Bay each summer, a sight which when combined with the polar bears, doubles the natural wonders guests will witness in a short 7 day period. Further, we operate our whale tours at the Seal River estuary whereas the other whale tour operators in Churchill utilize the Churchill River. Therefore, we’re the only two boats at the SR estuary so the whales in that location are for our lodge guests’ eyes only! You can actually swim with the belugas! We have dry suits for your use and we’ll suit you up with a full snorkel set so that you can see them up close and personal. Belugas are among the friendliest of whales and are just as curious about people as people are about them.

This adventure is more conducive to family travel as children are out of school for the summer. This means that this adventure single-handedly increases the number of families who are able to experience the pricelessness of seeing polar bears, land's largest carnivore, in their natural habitat TOGETHER.

Best time to go: Summer polar bear and beluga whale watching is only possible during the months of July and August.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Arrive. Fly from London to Winnipeg where you spend the night.
Day 2:	Fly from Winnipeg to Churchill where our expert staff will greet you at the airport or train station and escort you to the Aurora Inn, your hotel for the evening. You should also have some time to take a walk around town and get your 'bear'ings which will give you a chance to plan your afternoon in Churchill on your departure day.
Day 3:	Landing Lake. After breakfast, our representative will arrive at the hotel to escort you to Landing Lake where your adventure begins with a breathtaking aerial tour of the winding Hudson Bay coast enroute to your lodge home for the next 6 days. Be prepared to see huge pods of whales, countless birds, as well as caribou and of course, the magnificent Ice Bears. The Seal River Estuary is a summer favourite for these goliaths and they are regularly seen swimming or basking near the water's edge. Upon your arrival, your hosts and their children, a true (and thus rare) Churchillian family, will provide a tour of the lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travel in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. After a sumptuous full-course lunch, you will experience the coast for the first time. The combination of diversity and sheer natural elegance will amaze you. Ensure your camera battery is charged as you will be eager to document each and every moment in this extraordinary and rare ecosystem. Your first day at the lodge will be rounded out by the first of many gourmet full-course meals and a cozy fireplace for evening wind down.
Day 4-7:	Marine tours, trekking & walking, wildlife watching.... In the coming days, your gourmet breakfasts will be served at 8:00 a.m. and the tour of the day will typically depart the lodge at 9:30 a.m. Depending on both weather and group interest, you will enjoy the following activities: Marine Tours - Tides and weather permitting we will do at least three expeditions by boat to view beluga whales, seals, seabirds, and polar bears. Marine tours are conducted in large, nine-man inflatable boats, fully equipped with two way radios, safety gear, floatation jackets for each passenger, and a hydrophone so that you can listen to the whale songs. Each expedition is a half day in order to coordinate with the high tides. Both refreshments and lunch will be served aboard. Expect to see hundreds of whales per outing! Beluga whales are very curious and social and will investigate our presence with a bold courage expressed by few other creatures. Getting up-close and personal with these awesome creatures has been life-changing for many Churchill Wild guests. Trekking/Walking Tours - These are a daily part of the program and they range from short jaunts to photograph a passing caribou perhaps, to day trips with a pack lunch. There is no better way to experience the sheer vastness of the Arctic’s flora and fauna. Nesting bird life, fox dens, wild flowers, and caribou are just a few of the sights you will take in. When polar bears are sighted, your guide will advise you about the best way to maintain a safe viewing distance. Coast by Buggy - See the Hudson Bay coast on our custom made Tundra Tracker. A day trip in one of these vehicles allows us to cover a lot of shoreline while searching out wildlife. Lunch is a picnic en route. We provide ample time for exploration and photography of the trail. Whale Swim and exploration by zodiac - Take to the bay for the ultimate plunge and join the belugas in their watery world. Dry suits will be provided to offset the chill of the Hudson Bay. Wildlife Photography Workshops – In order to maximize this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, one of your guides is a professional wildlife photographer and he will provide you with casual workshops and professional advice as you shoot. Ocean Paddles - We have several sea kayaks and canoes on site for your use at any time. Perfect tranquillity with only the sound of your dipping paddle and the “sea canaries” is truly awe-inspiring! Aurora Watching - Yes, you can enjoy the greatest light show on earth in summer especially in the latter part of our season. The northern skies are a perfect ballroom for the aurora but remember, the aurora are best photographed with a tripod so if you have one, bring it along. Bird Watching – 150 species of birds visit this area and our expert guides can help you locate and identify a wide variety of these – chances are you will add several “lifers” to your book. Photo Presentations and Lectures – From lectures on “Travelling in Bear Country” to “Wildlife of the Arctic,” our own northern adventurers will regale you with photos and stories. These conversations provide you the opportunity to learn about the Arctic wildlife, landscape, and people. Rest and Relaxation – Should you decide that curling up by the fireplace with a good book or enjoying a hot drink and sharing stories with your fellow adventurers is what you need, you can feel free to do that too.
Day 8:	Back to Churchill. After another hearty lodge breakfast, we will begin air transfers back to Churchill. Have cameras ready again for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots. Today is your last day in the Churchill region. Your flight south to Winnipeg will take place at some point today and we hope to see you back at one of our eco-lodges for some more bear viewing very soon! Upon your return to Churchill, our representative will store your baggage. The balance of the day is then free for browsing the shops and exhibits of Churchill. We recommend Nature 1st Tours and Transportation should you prefer a guided tour of the area. Local places such as Cape Merry, the Port of Churchill, the Eskimo Museum, the Polar Bear Holding Compound (otherwise known as the Polar Bear Jail), as well as the Parks Canada exhibit are all of great interest. Helicopter tours are also available via Hudson Bay Helicopters. Lunch and dinner are on your own this day. Fly to Winnipeg where you spend the night.
Day 9:	Depart. Fly to London in the evening.

tailor made holidays

This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

how this holiday makes a difference

This itinerary includes 5 nights at the Seal River Heritage Lodge the owners of which make the following statement about their approach to responsible travel:

Environment:

Location: This is a family owned and operated ecolodge located just above the high water mark of western Hudson Bay. This location was chosen for several reasons. The surrounding area is truly wild wilderness. The beach ridge on which the Lodge is built is coarse and gravelly here, providing a very stable substrate with little vegetation to disturb. We can also minimize the efforts people need to undertake to view wildlife. The coastline is the most active area for wildlife movements – the animals come to the people, reducing the temptation to use motorized vehicles to find them.

Environmental Principals:

We honour an ongoing commitment to enhance, rather than degrade, our natural environment

We promote wise and sustainable use and sound conservation principles and practices for all wildlife and their habitats in our surrounding ecosystems buildings and energy sources:

Our accommodation and infrastructure is low impact, visually and environmentally

Buildings have been sited in harmony with the natural contours of the land

Local craftsmen used recycled materials and woods harvested sustainably from Manitoba and Minnesota forests in construction of the lodge

Exterior is finished with stone and driftwood gathered on site and second growth pine from more productive forests in southern Manitoba

Sky lights & large windows for natural light

The lodge is super insulated to reduce heating requirements

Rooms are efficiently designed to maximize comfort and minimize wasted space

Solar energy system reduces need for diesel consumption for power generation by 75%

Super quiet Shindaiwa generator is highly fuel efficient and creates very little noise pollution

Our energy consumption through generated power is kept to a minimum

We encourage guests to turn off their lights when not in use

No baths to conserve water

Energy saving light bulbs throughout the lodge

Energy saving washing machine to reduce water & energy consumption

Grey water recycling system significantly reduces water consumption by cycling cleaned and filtered water back into the toilets

Supplementary heat is provided by burning salvaged driftwood and standing or fallen deadwood supplemented with propane produced in Manitoba In the Kitchen

We are proud to serve a menu of local “country foods” to minimize shipping impacts and maximize flavour and quality, including sustainably and humanely harvested local fish, game, wild berries and salad greens

No MSG or other artificial flavour enhancers in our cooking

We use only safe and sustainable oils and food ingredients

We use bulk and reusable drink containers

No plastic straws or disposable cutlery

Responsible waste management:

Recycling and composting are a part of the way of life for the lodge

Sewage is treated on site through vegetated leachfields

No untreated sewage or wastewater is released into the environment

Biodegradable cleaning items, compatible with biological wastewater treatment, are used in the guest rooms, kitchen and laundry

We recycle glass & plastic bottles and aluminium cans

We compost organic wastes

All non recyclable rubbish is taken back to town for approved disposal, and given that we must fly that rubbish in the plane, there is very little of it!

We attempt to avoid the use of any pest control measures by planning activities to minimize interactions with pests – Hiking on breezy days, out in boats on the cool bay when insects are troublesome on the land minimizing impacts on our land and water

People power – hiking! – is our means of mobility for many of our tour activities

We use the smallest, most economical vehicles available for tours

All outboards on boats used for touring are 4 stroke fuel efficient engines which significantly reduce noise, gasoline consumption and chemical leakage

All Terrain Vehicles are also driven by 4 stroke engines. Use of these land vehicles is restricted to tidal flats and beach ridges which repair any impacts every autumn during storms with high neap tides. No driving is allowed on vegetated tundra.

Our activities aim to be as low impact as possible i.e. trekking along beach ridges and the few established trails near the Lodge

Swimming with the belugas – we move slowly and wait for the belugas to approach us

Bears and other wild creatures are allowed to approach on their own terms – we do not pursue or pressure them

Community:
When we speak of “the local community”, we mean Churchill – 50 km away, or Tadoule Lake – 180 km away!

We promote local traditional means of harvesting and preparing all foods

We buy our produce as locally as possible

Most of the staff at our ecolodge is our family, plus a couple of cousins, all work at the lodge

We train inexperienced locals and build capacity in experienced staff

Our wages are above the recommended Government wage

Gratuities are spontaneously offered and accepted, and shared evenly among our staff Creating employment and economic benefits for the community

We have trained many local youths to be ecotour guides

We support staff to complete Wilderness First Aid, Boat Operator Accredited Training and other valuable courses

We are significant and steady purchasers of local goods and services Guest Activities

Every day, we have entertaining and educational presentations and discussions with our exceptionally knowledgeable ecoleaders

We provide an educational introductory booklet, and an extensive library of local and related publications Commitment to continual improvement

We are locals – we liase regularly with our friends and neighbours in the community on environmental and social issues

We meet daily with our staff to talk about improvements

We constantly teach new skills to our staff – i.e. cooking, environmental management, communication skills

Our guests are able to give feedback through feedback forms or verbally

We strive constantly to stay up to date and do better- educating ourselves and staff to do the same.

Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays.

We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism.

This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards.